For I Own the Whole Earth: The Sabbatical Year - The Halachic Guide

A Brief Introduction to the Shemitah Year

It is appropriate for every person to study the laws of Shemitah, for through this study one will be inspired to fulfill all the laws of Shemitah properly. Through this merit, we will be worthy of the coming of the righteous Messiah. Rabbi Ben Zion Abba Shaul, in the introduction to his book Or L’Tzion – Shevi’it, writes that the merit of Torah study and the observance of commandments during the seventh year is greater than in other years.

The Kli Yakar writes in Parashat Behar regarding the reason and foundation of the commandment of Shemitah that this mitzvah is intended to instill the qualities of faith and trust within Israel. Hashem was concerned that upon entering the Land, the people might work the land according to natural patterns, and once they succeeded, they might forget Hashem and remove their trust in Him—believing that their own strength and might had produced their wealth, and that the world operates only according to natural laws. They might imagine that the land was entirely theirs, with no higher ownership.

Therefore, Hashem removed them completely from the natural order. Among the nations, the practice is to sow the land for two years and leave it fallow for one year in order not to deplete its strength. Yet Hashem commanded, “Six years you shall sow your field,” year after year, promising that He would increase the land’s strength so it would not be depleted.

Moreover, there is a miracle within a miracle. After sowing for six consecutive years, even if the land were not depleted, logic dictates that it should not gain additional strength. Nevertheless, Hashem declared the opposite: “I will command My blessing in the sixth year, and it will produce enough for three years.” Through all these wonders, Hashem teaches, “For all the land is Mine.” As a result, the eyes of Israel are lifted to Hashem, just as with the manna, so that they would always trust in Him and rely on Him continually.

Below, with Hashem’s help, is practical guidance regarding planting fruit trees, non-fruit trees, saplings, and related matters:

1. Planting fruit trees: It is forbidden to plant fruit trees after the fifteenth of Av of the sixth year (a date that has already passed this year), due to mar’it ayin (appearance). If fruit trees are planted after this date, the seventh year will be counted as the first year of orlah, and people may suspect that the planting took place during Shemitah. If one transgressed and planted, the tree must be uprooted. If it was not uprooted and the years of orlah have already passed, the fruit is permitted for consumption, as explained by the Rambam (Hilchot Shemitah 3:11).

2. This prohibition applies even when planting is done through a non-Jew. Therefore, if a non-Jew planted the tree after this date, it must still be uprooted in order to avoid suspicion.

3. Planting non-fruit trees: Ideally, non-fruit trees should be planted by the fourteenth of Elul preceding the Shemitah year, allowing the fourteen days required for absorption into the soil to be completed before Shemitah begins.

4. Ornamental plants and flowers: Ornamental seeds and flowers should be planted up to three days before Rosh Hashanah so that they take root before the Shemitah year. When necessary, one may be lenient and plant them until Rosh Hashanah itself. One who purchases flowers from a nursery in small pots containing a clump of soil may plant them with their soil until the eve of Rosh Hashanah.

5. Preparing in advance: One should complete in the sixth year all agricultural work that can be done beforehand, in order to avoid performing it during Shemitah or at least minimize such labor. Similarly, all work that can be delayed should be postponed until the eighth year, as explained by the Chazon Ish (Shevi’it, chapter 21, end of note 17).

6. Fertilization: One should ensure proper fertilization of the soil during the sixth year. It is possible to use combined “slow-release” fertilization, which dissolves gradually and provides nutrients in a controlled manner throughout the Shemitah year (Kedushat Ha’Aretz – Shevi’it, p. 126).

7. Pruning: During Shemitah, it is forbidden to prune both fruit trees and non-fruit trees. Therefore, maximal pruning should be done before the Shemitah year begins, so that pruning will not be required during Shemitah.

8. Supporting trees: It is forbidden to support trees during the Shemitah year. Supports should therefore be prepared in advance. The same applies to whitewashing tree trunks and preparing irrigation dishes.

9. The book Mishpetei Eretz cites the Chazon Ish, who rules that plowing between grapevines must be done before Shemitah. During Shemitah itself, it is permitted to hoe only when necessary to prevent the tree from dying.

Rabbi Shai Amar
Rabbi, Halachic Department of Hidabroot